The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

Russia’s oil empire running low on gas

Ukrainian drone strikes left Russia with serious gasoline shortages. Unable to meet the internal demand, Russia is about to import gasoline from Asia.

Jun 28 • Mariana Lastovyria, Oleksandra Poda, and Petro Gordon

Interested in Ukraine reconstruction?

Announcing our newest sister publication, Build Back Ukraine — focused on business intelligence for the post-war Ukrainian rebuild.

Jun 26 • Tim Mak

How Ukraine is cutting off Russia’s land corridor to Crimea

Ukrainian forces are using mid-strike drones to systematically bleed dry Russian logistics routes in the occupied parts of southern Ukraine, gradually…

Jun 25 • Zoriana Semenovych and Tim Mak

How post offices became a frontline indicator

The closure of postal offices in frontline regions often leaves their residents cut off from the outside world. Kiril, whose village is under shelling…

Jun 23 • Mariana Stadnyk

Fallen soldier becomes father via frozen sperm

Lyudmila’s story of fulfilling a shared dream after her husband's death is a tale of love stronger than war — and of new life being born in the face of…

Jun 20 • Kateryna Antonenko

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NEWSFLASH: Witkoff was secretly giving Russians advice

Nov 25, 2025 • Jacqueline Cole, Mariana Lastovyria, and Tim Mak

Why Zelenskyy Stood Up to Trump-Vance

Mar 1, 2025 • Myroslava Tanska-Vikulova, Tim Mak, and Mariana Lastovyria

Ukraine fought alongside US in Iraq; never demanded minerals

Mar 8, 2025 • Mariana Lastovyria and Tim Mak

Inside the first ever all-drone assault by Ukraine

Feb 8, 2025 • Tim Mak, Oleksandr Matviienko, and Mariana Lastovyria

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Recent posts

How ‘Oi!’ defines British punk and Ukrainian soul

Ukrainian and English ‘Oi’ differ in origin, history, and usage — one has ancient roots and centuries-old traditions, while the other is a modern…

Jun 18 • Petro Gordon and Serafima Melnychuk

NEWSFLASH: Kyiv’s fiery payback hits Moscow

The drone strike follows a devastating Russian June 15 assault that damaged a historic cathedral, part of Kyiv’s Lavra monastery complex, and the iconic…

Jun 16 • Oleksandra Poda and Myroslava Tanska-Vikulova

NEWSFLASH: For Russia, even a monastery is a target

Overnight, Russia launched dozens of missiles and drones, destroying a historic film studio and a Ukrainian logistics hub in Kyiv.

Jun 15 • Oleksandra Khelemendyk, Oleksandra Poda, Kateryna Antonenko, and Mariana Stadnyk

How world sports bent to Moscow's will

Ukrainian athletes who were not yet injured or killed by Russia’s ruthless attacks face the pain of having to compete with the enemy in the world’s top…

Jun 14 • Oleksandra Khelemendyk

NEWSFLASH: Ukraine enters talks to join EU

The first negotiation cluster is set to start on June 15, allowed by Hungary lifting its 17-month veto.

Jun 12 • Mariana Stadnyk, Oleksandra Poda, and Kateryna Antonenko

Inside Russia’s child detention

Oleksii and Kostiantyn, former civilian hostages, witnessed a child being imprisoned in a cell in Kherson; It is only a fragment of the broader picture…

Jun 12 • Kateryna Antonenko

War threatens Ukraine’s checkers champions

Ukraine has produced world champions in checkers for decades. Russia’s war is threatening the next generation.

Jun 10 • Anastasiia Lutsenko